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General Strike, 1926

Burrell Collection Photo Library

Men attempting to right an overturned bus during the General Strike in 1926.

Non-striking members of the bus company staff are trying to get the bus back on its wheels again. The broken destination window indicates that the bus was on its way to Glasgow when it was way-laid.

The General Strike was called by the Trades Union Congress to support striking miners in their fight to oppose wage cuts and longer working hours. Transport workers, dockers, printers, builders and employees in other key industries were asked to withdraw their labour, starting on 3 May. In Glasgow, trains and tram services were severely disrupted and there were some reports of violent scenes on picket lines. However, the General Strike collapsed after just nine days and the miners were forced to end their strike three months later.

Reference: 1270.82.342

Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Museums